Issele-Uku Community in Delta State Turns to Traditional Measures, Lays Curses on Kidnappers and Criminals Amid Rising Insecurity
Issele-Uku community, the administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area in Delta State, has taken a bold and culturally significant step to combat the alarming rise in crime within its borders. In response to the growing menace of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes threatening the peace and safety of residents, the people of Issele-Uku have resorted to deep-rooted traditional methods by conducting a powerful spiritual cleansing ceremony, known as the Ine Ubi. This age-old ritual involved the laying of curses on kidnappers, criminals, and all perpetrators of evil ravaging the community.
Rising Crime Sparks Community Action
The decision to perform the Ine Ubi ceremony did not come lightly. It was the result of escalating cases of insecurity, including kidnappings and killings, which have instilled fear and uncertainty in the hearts of the people. Recognizing the threat to their safety and communal harmony, leaders and residents of Issele-Uku mobilized to confront the crisis by invoking the spiritual protection and justice mechanisms historically used by their ancestors.
On Wednesday, May 21, representatives from each of the nine villages comprising Issele-Uku Kingdom assembled at the Royal Palace to take part in the solemn event. The villages—Ukpai, Idumuinei, Ogbe-Ofu, Ogbeowele, Ogboli, Idumuahaba, Ute, Ogbe-Utu, and Umueze-Issei—sent delegates armed with symbolic items such as palm sticks, Bibles, and chaplets. These objects were integral to the ritual, symbolizing faith, tradition, and the community’s resolve to cleanse the land of evil.
The Ine Ubi Ceremony: A Spiritual Cleansing Against Evil
The Ine Ubi ceremony is a revered traditional practice that involves laying spiritual curses upon criminals and their accomplices in an effort to deter wrongdoing and restore peace. Upon gathering at the Royal Palace, the participants, under the guidance of the community’s traditional ruler and elders, carried out prayers and invoked ancestral powers to confront the wave of criminality.
Inside the inner chamber of the palace, a meeting took place between the chiefs, the Omu (traditional queen), Eze-Dibie (spiritual leader), and titled elders of the community. These custodians of culture deliberated on the dire situation before proceeding with the ritual. Following the meeting, the traditional ruler of Issele-Uku Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Agbogidi Obi Nduka, appeared at the Ishu Uge—the front view of the palace—to address the large crowd of concerned residents.
A Strong Message from Traditional Leaders
The atmosphere at the ceremony was solemn, charged with determination and anger over the recent spate of violence. The Chi-Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom, Chief Egbo Adigwe, took the lead in reading out the list of crimes committed by the perpetrators plaguing the land. As each offense was named—from kidnapping and armed robbery to the planting of poisonous charms and other malevolent acts—the gathered crowd responded with unified curses directed at the criminals and their collaborators. This public denunciation was both a spiritual act and a communal declaration of intolerance for crime.
The Ine Ubi ritual was conducted at three distinct locations within the palace grounds, signifying the comprehensive nature of the spiritual cleansing. After this, the traditional ruler retreated indoors, while the Ogbelani of Issele-Uku, Diokpa Isimchei Okonkwo, led others to continue the ceremony at the Afor marketplace, a central hub of daily life in the community.
The Monarch’s Disappointment and Determination
HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka, visibly displeased with the deteriorating security situation, expressed deep frustration at how the peaceful and hospitable community that Issele-Uku is known for has been disrupted. In his address to the residents, the monarch emphasized the necessity of the Ine Ubi ceremony as a last resort to fight back against the rising tide of crime.
He said,
“This Ine Ubi ceremony has become necessary and almost the last resort in helping the community to ward off evil on the land. This is a form of spiritual cleansing on the land, which was a method adopted by our forefathers to curtail evil in the community whenever it becomes unbearable.”
His Majesty further described Issele-Uku as a community that traditionally welcomes visitors warmly and lives in peace. The recent surge in criminal activities such as kidnappings has severely damaged this reputation and instilled fear among the people.
“You all know Issele-Uku to be a visitors' delight, loving and accommodating. We have never been used to this kind of criminal rampage where residents are now being abducted by kidnappers almost on regular basis.”
Collaborative Efforts Needed to Restore Peace
Despite turning to traditional spiritual methods, HRM Obi Nduka stressed that the community is also actively cooperating with government authorities and security agencies in efforts to curb the insecurity. However, he pointed out that tackling the problem requires both collective and individual action from everyone in the community.
“We don't usually apply this method of traditional cleansing on our land where curses had to be laid on evil doers; but like I said, it has gotten to the level where we have to be deliberate in the actions we take to sanitize our community. We are collaborating with Government and security agencies in seeking solutions to this menace, but at this point, we all have individual roles to also play while collective efforts are being made to nip the unsavoury situation in the bud.”
The monarch also acknowledged the broader security challenges facing Nigeria, recognizing that the government is not entirely failing but needs to increase its efforts to protect citizens.
“Government has not failed us because the wave of insecurity is everywhere; however, my advice is that they should step up their game, in the sense that the security and welfare of the people remains the primary purpose of Government as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
A Clear Warning to Criminals and Their Accomplices
As the custodian of tradition and culture, HRM Obi Nduka made it clear that Issele-Uku will not stand idly by while criminals disrupt the peace and safety of its people. By invoking spiritual curses on the masterminds and aides of these crimes, the community sends a strong warning that they will take all necessary measures—both spiritual and practical—to protect their land.
“As part of our own role as custodians of traditions and culture, we have placed curses on those masterminding evil and aiding evil criminal elements on our land. We can't fold our arms to watch evil doers and their conspirators continue to have a field day. Whatever anybody whose hands are not clean sees in this matter, he or she should take it to be his or her own evil consequences,” Obi Nduka declared.
Conclusion: Tradition Meets Modern Challenges
The Ine Ubi ceremony in Issele-Uku represents more than just a traditional ritual; it reflects the community’s resilience and determination to restore peace in the face of modern security challenges. By blending cultural heritage with cooperation from governmental institutions, Issele-Uku sets a powerful example of how communities can fight insecurity on multiple fronts.
The use of spiritual and cultural practices underscores the importance of local traditions in complementing formal security measures, especially when crime threatens to overwhelm conventional policing.
For residents and visitors alike, the message is clear: Issele-Uku remains a community that values peace, safety, and hospitality—and will take all necessary steps to protect these core values against any threat.
